HC Deb 27 February 1973 vol 851 cc1259-60
4. Mr. Eadie

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the number of vacancies notified to him that exist in industries in Scotland involved directly and indirectly in energy production; and what was the rate of contraction in these industries during 1972 and to the nearest available date in 1973.

The Minister of State, Department of Employment (Mr. R. Chichester-Clark)

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled in certain industries involved in energy production, together with certain information about the reduction in numbers employed in some of these industries during 1972.

Mr. Eadie

Does the Minister accept that the House will want to study the figures when they are available, especially in relation to the location of the vacancies? Does he agree that the number of vacancies revealed should bear some relation to any policy decision that the Government will want to make about the exploitation of our indigenous energy resources?

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Of course one takes account what the hon. Gentleman says; it is obviously a factor. In January there were 123 notified unfilled vacancies in these industries in Scotland compared with 65 in 1972. During the past year the number of vacancies in all industries has more than doubled.

Following is the information:

NOTIFIED VACANCIES REMAINING UNFILLED IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES IN SCOTLAND ON 3RD JANUARY 1973
Coal mining … 55
Petroleum and natural gas … 32
Coke ovens and manufactured fuel … —
Mineral oil refining … 5
Gas … 17
Electricity … 14
Total … 123

The statistics relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.

CONTRACTION IN EMPLOYMENT

The following figures have been supplied by the nationalised industries concerned.

Numbers employed at the beginning of 1972 Approximate reduction in numbers during 1972
Coal mining … 28,900 2,000
Gas … 7,800 200
Electricity … 17,700 300